Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, as their typical hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
